Meg Swecker, the technology coordinator for Roanoke County Public Schools, was honored recently with the Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) 2009 State Educational Technology Leadership Award and the Region 6 Educational Technology Leadership Award. The awards were presented during Virginia Tech’s Educational Technology Conference in Richmond.

Presented annually, the educational technology leadership awards recognize individuals who demonstrate leadership by assisting school divisions in education technology planning and implementation. Division superintendents in each of VDOE’s eight superintendents’ regions select individuals for the award. Recipients are chosen for their success in helping school divisions improve teaching and learning through the use of instructional media and technology.

In addition to Swecker, the 2009 regional winners are:

Region 1 – Leadership in Technology Integration Committee of Henrico County Public Schools

Region 8 (tie) – Burlin Gregory, information technology director with Charlotte County Public Schools and Sandra Nemeth, data and technology specialist with Charlotte County Public Schools

The VDOE’s 2009 Technology Leadership award was presented to Mike and Lynn Rice of New Mexico Skies for their partnership with VDOE in the Share the Skies telescope and astronomy project.

The Virginia Educational Technology Advisory Committee (VETAC), which advises the Virginia Board of Education on educational technology, also presented its 2009 VETAC Leadership Award to Ramesh Kapoor, chief information officer of Virginia Beach Public Schools. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated strong leadership both statewide and in their participation as a member of VETAC.